Star Studios and Dharma Productions’ Sarzameen is the story of an army officer and his son who gets kidnapped by terrorists even while he is a child and who is trained by terrorists to become one.
Vikram (Prithviraj Sukumaran) is a respected army officer in Kashmir, who lives with his wife, Meher (Kajol), and son, Harman (Ibrahim Ali Khan). Since Harman has a problem of stammering, Meher always feels that her husband is embarrassed of him. Anyway, in the course of his duties, Vikram arrests two dreaded terrorists, Mohsin (K.C. Shankar) and his brother. The group of terrorists kidnap Harman and seek the two terrorists’ release in lieu of Harman’s release. Vikram is so duty-conscious that he is unwilling to compromise on his principles even if it is the question of his own son’s life. Eight years later, Harman comes back into the lives of his parents. Soon, they get to know that Harman is now a terrorist who has been sent home to kill his own father. Harman nurses a grudge against his father and, therefore, is prepared to do the needful. What happens thereafter? What is Meher’s role in the scheme of things?
Soumil Shukla and Arun Singh have written a story which lacks novelty. Their screenplay, with additional screenplay by Nikhil Mehrotra, is just about okay. For, the drama often appears to be one of convenience. For instance, the truth about Meher is revealed towards the end, but it makes the viewers wonder why nobody (from among those to whom her actions of years ago must’ve mattered) reacted to that truth all these years. The embarrassment, which Vikram supposedly feels due to Harman’s stammering problem, doesn’t quite come through to the audience. Besides, both, Meher and Harman, should’ve known that for a conscientious army officer, duty comes before family. This is the least one would expect family members of a top-ranking and principled army officer to know, understand and appreciate. Therefore, Harman’s grudge against his father seems unjustified. Kausar Munir and Jehan Handa’s dialogues, with additional dialogues by Mohit Chandora, are alright.
Prithviraj Sukumaran looks handsome and acts with aplomb as army officer Vikram. Kajol is fair in the role of Meher. Ibrahim Ali Khan does a decent job as Harman. Boman Irani lends reasonable support as I.S. Kanwar. Jitendra Joshi makes a mark as Vikram’s assistant, Iqbal Ahmed. Ronav Parihar is adequate as young Harman. Mihir Ahuja has his moments as Shoaib. K.C. Shankar is alright as terrorist Mohsin. Anuraag Arora and the others do as desired.
Kayoze Irani’s direction is just about fair. There’s nothing in his narrative style which can make the audience feel elated. Vishal Khurana K. and Vishal Mishra’s music is nice. Kausar Munir and Jaani’s lyrics are weighty. The Mere murshid mere yaara number (composed by Vishal Mishra, and penned by Jaani) is a hit. PavanBob’s choreography in the Mere murshid mere yaara song is okay. Cinematographer Kamaljeet Negi has shot the film well. Sunil Rodrigues’ action and stunt scenes afford thrill. Aditya Kanwar’s production designing is good. Sanyukta Kaza and Nitin Baid’s editing is reasonably sharp but ought to have been sharper.
On the whole, Sarzameen is too ordinary to create much of an impact on the viewers.
Released on 25-7-’25 on JioHotstar.
